Rabid Raccoons Found In Huntington, East Islip: Officials

HUNTINGTON, NY — Two more raccoons found in Huntington and East Islip have tested positive for rabies, Suffolk County health officials said Friday.

A raccoon that appeared ill was found outside a Huntington residence on Oct. 29, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

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Officers with the Suffolk County Police Department's Emergency Service Section responded, and the animal was submitted for rabies testing.

Separately, a dead raccoon was found outside an East Islip residence that same day, officials said. An animal control officer with the Town of Islip Animal Shelter responded and submitted the raccoon for testing.

The New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center notified Suffolk County health officials on Nov. 6 that both animals tested positive for rabies.

There were no reported human or pet exposures in either case, officials said.

The cases bring Suffolk County's total to 42 confirmed terrestrial rabies cases in 2026 and 61 since Feb. 7, 2025.

The East Islip case comes shortly after another rabid raccoon was found outside a residence there on Oct. 22. In that case, county officials said they believed an unknown person may have transported the animal to the location and warned that the potential exposure could pose a significant health risk.

A rabid raccoon was also recently found in Oakdale, while other cases this year have been reported in communities including Kings Park, Smithtown, Babylon, Bay Shore, Northport and Islip.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. It is most commonly found in wild animals including raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, although any mammal can become infected.

County health officials are reminding residents not to touch or transport wild animals.

Anyone who sees a raccoon behaving abnormally is asked to call Suffolk County Police at 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.

More information about rabies, animal bites and prevention is available through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.